Torrevieja, July 2025 — The son of a 77-year-old well-known hotel owner from Guardamar, who was found beaten to death in December 2022, has been arrested by the Civil Guard as the prime suspect in the case. The Torrevieja Court of Instruction No. 4 has ordered the man’s immediate imprisonment while releasing another suspect under precautionary measures.
The arrested man, 53 years old and locally known for his struggles with drug addiction, appeared before the court alongside an acquaintance also detained for alleged involvement in the crime.
While the son was remanded in custody without bail, the second detainee was granted provisional release with strict conditions including mandatory court appearances thrice weekly, passport revocation, and a ban on leaving the country.
The victim, Rita Ortiz, owner of the Guardamar Hotel, was discovered dead early on December 21, 2022. Her son, who shared the home with her, initially called emergency services claiming they had been victims of a robbery—a claim dismissed by investigators. From the outset, the Civil Guard considered the son the primary suspect.
Investigators awaited crucial forensic results for over two years. More than 100 DNA and fingerprint tests were conducted by the Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences in Barcelona, ultimately providing conclusive evidence supporting the case against the son. This evidence, combined with findings from the Alicante Crime Laboratory’s home inspection, led to the arrests last week.
Although none of the suspects have formally confessed, sources close to the investigation reveal they have offered inconsistent statements and appear to be implicating each other subtly.
The circumstances suggest the fatal altercation occurred during a heated argument between mother and son, exacerbated by the son’s drug issues. Evidence indicates a physical struggle in which both fell down a staircase, sustaining head injuries.
Rita Ortiz suffered a severe bleeding head wound and was pronounced dead upon emergency responders’ arrival. Her son also sustained head trauma and maintained that intruders attacked them, though authorities have ruled out this scenario.
Further investigation uncovered that some of the victim’s jewellery was missing. Reports indicate a strained relationship between mother and son—he had a lock on his bedroom door and was known to restrict her access when she left the house.
The case remains under active investigation by the Homicide Unit of the Alicante Judicial Police, the Guardamar Judicial Police Team, and the Forensic Laboratory of the Alicante Command, as authorities work to fully clarify the details of this tragic family dispute.
